More Night Trains to Connect Major European Cities

If all goes according to plan, a new overnight train will run between Prague and Brussels, stopping at Dresden, Berlin and Amsterdam on the way, in 2022. The plan has been mooted by a Dutch overnight train co-operative called European Sleeper in collaboration with Czech operator RegioJet.

According to media reports, there will be both seating and sleeper arrangements. Passengers will be able to avail on-board services such as free internet access.

Meanwhile, &OumlBB and Slovak Railways (ZSSK) have scheduled a new night train connection between Vienna and Graz to Split in Croatia. This EuroNight train will be a seasonal one, running between mid-June and mid-September this year. &OumlBB also operates EuroNight connections in collaboration with Croatian Railways HZ, Czech Railways CD, Hungarian Railways MAV and Polish Railways PKP.

Starting May 28, RegioJet is also going to operate its night trains from Czech Republic to Croatia this summer season.

However, all plans and schedules are subject to the spread/containment of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to environment experts, travelling by trains can have a positive impact on climate change. Partly in keeping with this vision, possibilities of running night sleeper trains between the United Kingdom and continental European countries via the Channel tunnel are also being contemplated. However, the running of trains according to the stringent safety rules implemented through the Channel tunnel also has to be aligned with train operations, say travel experts. Also, safety concerns, the rolling stock, facilities, etc. required for these trains may result in high costs. Hence, if trains will be able to compete with budget airlines on ticket prices also has to be considered before implementing the project.